CHK » Topics » If we are not able to replace reserves, we may not be able to sustain production.

These excerpts taken from the CHK 10-K filed Mar 2, 2009.

If we are not able to replace reserves, we may not be able to sustain production.

Our future success depends largely upon our ability to find, develop or acquire additional natural gas and oil reserves that are economically recoverable. Unless we replace the reserves we produce through successful development, exploration or acquisition activities, our proved reserves and production will decline over time. In addition, approximately 33% of our total estimated proved reserves (by volume) at December 31, 2008 were undeveloped. By their nature, estimates of undeveloped reserves are less certain. Recovery of such reserves will require significant capital expenditures and successful drilling operations. Our reserve estimates reflect that our production rate on producing properties will decline approximately 29% from 2009 to 2010. Thus, our future natural gas and oil reserves and production and, therefore, our cash flow and income are highly dependent on our success in efficiently developing and exploiting our current reserves and economically finding or acquiring additional recoverable reserves.

If we are not able to replace reserves, we may not be able to sustain production.

STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%">Our future success depends largely upon our ability to find, develop or acquire additional natural gas and oil reserves that are economically
recoverable. Unless we replace the reserves we produce through successful development, exploration or acquisition activities, our proved reserves and production will decline over time. In addition, approximately 33% of our total estimated proved
reserves (by volume) at December 31, 2008 were undeveloped. By their nature, estimates of undeveloped reserves are less certain. Recovery of such reserves will require significant capital expenditures and successful drilling operations. Our
reserve estimates reflect that our production rate on producing properties will decline approximately 29% from 2009 to 2010. Thus, our future natural gas and oil reserves and production and, therefore, our cash flow and income are highly dependent
on our success in efficiently developing and exploiting our current reserves and economically finding or acquiring additional recoverable reserves.

SIZE="2">The actual quantities and present value of our proved reserves may prove to be lower than we have estimated.

This
report contains estimates of our proved reserves and the estimated future net revenues from our proved reserves. These estimates are based upon various assumptions, including assumptions required by the SEC relating to natural gas and oil prices,
drilling and operating expenses, capital expenditures, taxes and availability of funds. The process of estimating natural gas and oil reserves is complex. The process involves significant decisions and assumptions in the evaluation of available
geological, geophysical, engineering and economic data for each reservoir. Therefore, these estimates are inherently imprecise.

Actual
future production, natural gas and oil prices, revenues, taxes, development expenditures, operating expenses and quantities of recoverable natural gas and oil reserves most likely will vary from these estimates. Such variations may be significant
and could materially affect the estimated quantities and present value of our proved reserves. In addition, we may adjust estimates of proved reserves to reflect production history, results of exploration and development drilling, prevailing natural
gas and oil prices and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. Our properties may also be susceptible to hydrocarbon drainage from production by operators on adjacent properties.

STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%">At December 31, 2008, approximately 33% of our estimated proved reserves (by volume) were undeveloped. Recovery of undeveloped reserves requires
significant capital expenditures and successful drilling operations. These reserve estimates include the assumption that we will make significant capital expenditures to develop the reserves, including approximately $925 million in 2009. You should
be aware that the estimated costs may not be accurate, development may not occur as scheduled and results may not be as estimated.

You
should not assume that the present values referred to in this report represent the current market value of our estimated natural gas and oil reserves. In accordance with SEC requirements, the estimates of our present

 


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values are based on prices and costs as of the date of the estimates. The December 31, 2008 present value is based on weighted average natural gas and
oil wellhead prices of $5.12 per mcf of natural gas and $41.60 per barrel of oil. Actual future prices and costs may be materially higher or lower than the prices and costs as of the date of an estimate.

STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%">Any changes in consumption by natural gas and oil purchasers or in governmental regulations or taxation will also affect actual future net cash flows.

The timing of both the production and the expenses from the development and production of natural gas and oil properties will affect both
the timing of actual future net cash flows from our proved reserves and their present value. In addition, the 10% discount factor, which is required by the SEC to be used in calculating discounted future net cash flows for reporting purposes, is not
necessarily the most accurate discount factor. The effective interest rate at various times and the risks associated with our business or the natural gas and oil industry in general will affect the accuracy of the 10% discount factor.

STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%">Exploration and development drilling may not result in commercially productive reserves.

STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%">We do not always encounter commercially productive reservoirs through our drilling operations. The new wells we drill or participate in may not be
productive and we may not recover all or any portion of our investment in new wells. The seismic data and other technologies we use do not allow us to know conclusively prior to drilling a well that oil or natural gas is present or may be produced
economically. The cost of drilling, completing and operating a well is often uncertain, and cost factors can adversely affect the economics of a project. Our efforts will be unprofitable if we drill dry wells or wells that are productive but do not
produce enough reserves to return a profit after drilling, operating and other costs. Further, our drilling operations may be curtailed, delayed or canceled as a result of a variety of factors, including:

STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"> 







  

increases in the cost of, or shortages or delays in the availability of, drilling rigs and equipment;

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unexpected drilling conditions;

 







  

restricted access to land for drilling or laying pipeline;

 







  

pressure or irregularities in formations;

 







  

equipment failures or accidents;

 







  

adverse weather conditions; and

 







  

compliance with environmental and other governmental requirements.

FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Drilling results in our newer shale plays, primarily the Haynesville and Marcellus Shales, may be more uncertain than in shale plays that are more developed and have longer established production histories, such as
the Barnett and Fayetteville Shales. Our experience with horizontal drilling in the Haynesville and Marcellus Shales, as well as the industry’s drilling and production history, is more limited than in the Barnett and Fayetteville Shale plays.
Completion techniques that have proven to be successful in other shale formations to maximize recoveries are being used in the early development of the Haynesville and Marcellus Shales; however, we can provide no assurance of the ultimate success of
these drilling and completion techniques.

These excerpts taken from the CHK 10-K filed Feb 29, 2008.

If we are not able to replace reserves, we may not be able to sustain production.

Our future success depends largely upon our ability to find, develop or acquire additional oil and natural gas reserves that are economically recoverable. Unless we replace the reserves we produce through successful development, exploration or acquisition activities, our proved reserves and production will decline over time. In addition, approximately 36% of our total estimated proved reserves (by volume) at December 31, 2007 were undeveloped. By their nature, estimates of undeveloped reserves are less certain. Recovery of such reserves will require significant capital expenditures and successful drilling operations. Our reserve estimates reflect that our production rate on producing properties will decline approximately 28% from 2008 to 2009. Thus, our future oil and natural gas reserves and production and, therefore, our cash flow and income are highly dependent on our success in efficiently developing and exploiting our current reserves and economically finding or acquiring additional recoverable reserves.

If we are not able to replace reserves, we may not be able to sustain production.

STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%">Our future success depends largely upon our ability to find, develop or acquire additional oil and natural gas reserves that are economically
recoverable. Unless we replace the reserves we produce through successful development, exploration or acquisition activities, our proved reserves and production will decline over time. In addition, approximately 36% of our total estimated proved
reserves (by volume) at December 31, 2007 were undeveloped. By their nature, estimates of undeveloped reserves are less certain. Recovery of such reserves will require significant capital expenditures and successful drilling operations. Our
reserve estimates reflect that our production rate on producing properties will decline approximately 28% from 2008 to 2009. Thus, our future oil and natural gas reserves and production and, therefore, our cash flow and income are highly dependent
on our success in efficiently developing and exploiting our current reserves and economically finding or acquiring additional recoverable reserves.

SIZE="2">The actual quantities and present value of our proved reserves may prove to be lower than we have estimated.

This
report contains estimates of our proved reserves and the estimated future net revenues from our proved reserves. These estimates are based upon various assumptions, including assumptions required by the SEC relating to oil and natural gas prices,
drilling and operating expenses, capital expenditures, taxes and availability of funds. The process of estimating oil and natural gas reserves is complex. The process involves significant decisions and assumptions in the evaluation of available
geological, geophysical, engineering and economic data for each reservoir. Therefore, these estimates are inherently imprecise.

 


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Index to Financial Statements


Actual future production, oil and natural gas prices, revenues, taxes, development expenditures,
operating expenses and quantities of recoverable oil and natural gas reserves most likely will vary from these estimates. Such variations may be significant and could materially affect the estimated quantities and present value of our proved
reserves. In addition, we may adjust estimates of proved reserves to reflect production history, results of exploration and development drilling, prevailing oil and natural gas prices and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. Our
properties may also be susceptible to hydrocarbon drainage from production by operators on adjacent properties.

At December 31, 2007,
approximately 36% of our estimated proved reserves (by volume) were undeveloped. Recovery of undeveloped reserves requires significant capital expenditures and successful drilling operations. These reserve estimates include the assumption that we
will make significant capital expenditures to develop the reserves, including approximately $2.6 billion in 2008. You should be aware that the estimated costs may not be accurate, development may not occur as scheduled and results may not be as
estimated.

You should not assume that the present values referred to in this report represent the current market value of our estimated
oil and natural gas reserves. In accordance with SEC requirements, the estimates of our present values are based on prices and costs as of the date of the estimates. The December 31, 2007 present value is based on weighted average oil and
natural gas wellhead prices of $90.58 per barrel of oil and $6.19 per mcf of natural gas. Actual future prices and costs may be materially higher or lower than the prices and costs as of the date of an estimate.

STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%">Any changes in consumption by oil and natural gas purchasers or in governmental regulations or taxation will also affect actual future net cash flows.

The timing of both the production and the expenses from the development and production of oil and natural gas properties will affect both
the timing of actual future net cash flows from our proved reserves and their present value. In addition, the 10% discount factor, which is required by the SEC to be used in calculating discounted future net cash flows for reporting purposes, is not
necessarily the most accurate discount factor. The effective interest rate at various times and the risks associated with our business or the oil and natural gas industry in general will affect the accuracy of the 10% discount factor.

STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%">Acquisitions may prove to be worth less than we paid because of uncertainties in evaluating recoverable reserves and potential liabilities.

Our growth during the past few years is due in large part to acquisitions of exploration and production companies, producing
properties and undeveloped leasehold. Successful acquisitions require an assessment of a number of factors, including estimates of recoverable reserves, exploration potential, future oil and natural gas prices, operating costs and potential
environmental and other liabilities. Such assessments are inexact and their accuracy is inherently uncertain. In connection with our assessments, we perform a review of the acquired properties which we believe is generally consistent with industry
practices. However, such a review will not reveal all existing or potential problems. In addition, our review may not permit us to become sufficiently familiar with the properties to fully assess their deficiencies and capabilities. We do not
inspect every well. Even when we inspect a well, we do not always discover structural, subsurface and environmental problems that may exist or arise. As a result of these factors, the purchase price we pay to acquire oil and natural gas properties
may exceed the value we realize.

We are generally not entitled to contractual indemnification for preclosing liabilities, including
environmental liabilities. Normally, we acquire interests in properties on an “as is” basis with limited remedies for breaches of representations and warranties. When we make entity acquisitions, we may have transferee liability that is
not fully indemnified. Our acquisition of Columbia Natural Resources, LLC (CNR) in November 2005 was made subject to claims which are covered in part by the indemnification of a prior owner, NiSource Inc. NiSource and Chesapeake are co-defendants in
a class action lawsuit brought by royalty owners in West

 


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Index to Financial Statements



Virginia in which the jury returned a verdict in January 2007 awarding plaintiffs $404 million, consisting of $134 million in compensatory damages and $270
million in punitive damages. Although Chesapeake believes its share of damages that might ultimately be awarded in this case will not have a material adverse effect on its results of operations, financial condition or liquidity as a result of the
NiSource indemnity and post-trial remedies that may be available, Chesapeake is a defendant in other cases involving acquired companies where it may have no, or only limited, indemnification rights. In any such actions we could incur significant
liability.

This excerpt taken from the CHK 10-K filed Mar 1, 2007.

If we are not able to replace reserves, we may not be able to sustain production.

Our future success depends largely upon our ability to find, develop or acquire additional oil and natural gas reserves that are economically recoverable. Unless we replace the reserves we produce through successful development, exploration or acquisition activities, our proved reserves and production will decline over time. In addition, approximately 38% of our total estimated proved reserves (by volume) at December 31, 2006 were undeveloped. By their nature, estimates of undeveloped reserves are less certain. Recovery of such reserves will require significant capital expenditures and successful drilling operations. Our reserve estimates reflect that our production rate on producing properties will decline approximately 25% from 2007 to 2008. Thus, our future oil and natural gas reserves and production and, therefore, our cash flow and income are highly dependent on our success in efficiently developing and exploiting our current reserves and economically finding or acquiring additional recoverable reserves.

This excerpt taken from the CHK 8-K filed Nov 28, 2006.
If we are not able to replace reserves, we may not be able to sustain production.

Our future success depends largely upon our ability to find, develop or acquire additional oil and gas reserves that are economically recoverable. Unless we replace the reserves we produce through successful development, exploration or acquisition activities, our proved reserves and production will decline over time. In addition, approximately 35% of our total estimated proved reserves (by volume) at December 31, 2005 were undeveloped. By their nature, estimates of undeveloped reserves are less certain. Recovery of such reserves will require significant capital expenditures and successful drilling operations. Our reserve estimates reflect that our production rate on producing properties will decline approximately 24% from 2006 to 2007. Thus, our future oil and natural gas reserves and production and, therefore, our cash flow and income are highly dependent on our success in efficiently developing and exploiting our current reserves and economically finding or acquiring additional recoverable reserves.

This excerpt taken from the CHK 10-K filed Mar 14, 2006.

If we are not able to replace reserves, we may not be able to sustain production.

Our future success depends largely upon our ability to find, develop or acquire additional oil and gas reserves that are economically recoverable. Unless we replace the reserves we produce through successful development, exploration or acquisition activities, our proved reserves and production will decline over time. In addition, approximately 35% of our total estimated proved reserves (by volume) at December 31, 2005 were undeveloped. By their nature, estimates of undeveloped reserves are less certain. Recovery of such reserves will

 

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require significant capital expenditures and successful drilling operations. Our reserve estimates reflect that our production rate on producing properties will decline approximately 24% from 2006 to 2007. Thus, our future oil and natural gas reserves and production and, therefore, our cash flow and income are highly dependent on our success in efficiently developing and exploiting our current reserves and economically finding or acquiring additional recoverable reserves.

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